Out of the Past by Gene Miller

150 Years Ago

In the name of those who are anticipating a remarkable “mushiness” in their peregrinations to and from attending Sunday services at the Academy Hall during the Spring floods, we call upon the City Fathers to construct or cause to be constructed a sidewalk to that institution.

125 Years Ago

By Rev. Jason Fischer, lead pastor at Algona Faith

Where do we begin the rubble or our sins? 

The title of this article comes from a line from the song “Pompei” by the group Bastille. When I read the books of the Bible that were written during Israel’s exile, I can’t help but think of these lyrics: “Where do we begin the rubble or our sins?” 

As for Ukraine, where are the European men?

To the Editor:

What Americans need to start asking is, why all the European men are not helping the Ukrainian people with their lives, because they could be next in the Russian battle plan.

Out of the Past by Gene Miller

150 Years Ago

The Algona musical Association will give a public Rehearsal on Wednesday evening of next week. The members of the Society are requested to meet in full force on Friday evening for private rehearsal. 

125 Years Ago

By Jim Sloter

Continuing northeast along the coast of Spain, we came to the area appropriately named Costa Brava (Wild Coast) that begins 40 miles northeast of Barcelona and extends 60 miles to the French border. Going was slow on that coastal roadway with its steep grades, sharp curves and the gorgeous scenery. 

By Molly MacDonald

For some of us, 1986 doesn’t seem so long ago. For others, I suppose, it’s ancient history. Whichever category you find yourself in, I hope you won’t mind if I resurrect one of my columns from that year and rerun it here. Mainly because I haven’t a clue what else to write about today.

October 25, 1986

This weeks mystery is the location of the F.S. Norton & Son Lumber store. Does anyone remember shopping there? What is there now? Send your memories to news@algona.com.

Darrell Ludwig of Cedar Falls wrote in about last week’s photo. “The picture is the Algona Co-Op Creamery. On State Street just East of the Jones St. intersection. It was probably taken about middle 1940s. 

By Pastor Cindy Finn - pastor at First United Methodist Church, Algona

Peace

By Amanda Schmidt

West Bend-Mallard Superintendent

It is March and it seems like it is coming in as a lamb. I hope it doesn’t go out as a lion! March always brings a lot of reflection in a school along with planning for next year. We have had a lot of great things happen this year and are excited to look forward to next year at West Bend-Mallard.

By Jim Sloter

Souvenir stands and food stands lined the Santa Maria de Montserrat courtyard so we bought some bread for lunch before leaving. 

By Michael Tidemann

What do big agriculture and a series of grisly murders have in common?

That answer to that lies in Erin Young’s debut crime novel, The Fields, set in Black Hawk County, Iowa.

Out of the Past - By Gene Miller

150 Years Ago

We are happy to state to those who contemplate settling in northwestern Iowa, but whose means are rather limited, that the necessity of any great expense in the building of dwelling houses is obviated by using the large Family Trunk lately invented by our townsman, J. B. Winkel. Colonies will be furnished at extremely low rates.

125 Years Ago

Pay equity again

To the Editor:

It’s time to talk about Pay Equity again. This year March 15 was chosen as the day on which woman workers make as much in 14 1/2 months as their male counterparts make in 12 months. The sad part of the situation is that covid has taught us, among other things, how necessary women are in the workforce. 

By Brad Hicks - publisher

One’s trash is...

One’s garbage is another’s treasure – and perhaps a place for a warrantless search.

There is a bill in the Iowa House that already unanimously passed in the Iowa Senate to allow law enforcement to rummage through people’s garbage without a warrant in an effort to locate evidence of a crime. 

By Rev. Walt Reemtsma, pastor of Burt, Lone Rock Presbyterian Churches

37 He said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the greatest and first commandment. 39 And a second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Matt: 22: 37-39